How Should I Fix My Hooking Golf Shots?

A hook occurs when the ball starts right of the target line before curving left in the air to finish well left of the target.

It is caused when the club travels on an in to out swing path, moving from inside the body to out. To create a hooked ball flight the club face must be closed to both the swing path and target line. This combination of path and club face angle is what causes the distinctive shot shape.

To fix a hook, players first need to isolate a few key areas and check if anything is out of line. Firstly, golfers need to check their grip on the club. If the hands are in a strong position (the left hand too much on top and the right hand too much underneath), the club face is more likely to rotate closed through impact.

For a neutral grip, the club should run through the fingers of the left hand before it wraps around the handle. When looking down at the left hand, players should see two and a half knuckles with the V created by the thumb and forefinger pointing towards the right shoulder. When the right hand joins the left, players should look down and see one and a half knuckles after it has wrapped over the grip and left thumb. The V created by the thumb and forefinger on the right hand should also point at the right shoulder. With this neutral grip, golfers should be able to swing through the ball and release the club naturally and not flip it over causing a hook.

Golfers looking to fix their path can use a number of drills. If you are hooking the ball, the club path will be coming too far from in to out. Players can practice trying to move the club on a straighter path into the ball. One way to check this is by laying two clubs down on the ground either side of the ball, running down towards the target. Practice hitting shots from between these lines, bringing the club on a straighter swing path through the ball.
Hooking the ball can be destructive so focus on club path and face angle to fix the problem ball flight.

Sorry Try Again! - See Explanation Below

Often players look to counteract a hook by aiming more to the right. Unfortunately, the only thing which will happen is either a big block right of the target or an even bigger hook. This quick fix wont help in the long term.

Sorry Try Again! - See Explanation Below

Although golfers do need to feel as though they are swinging straighter into the ball, actively slicing the ball is likely to bring the club on an out-to-in swing path. With a strong club face this could cause the dreaded pull hook which will most likely make the next shot unplayable!

Sorry Try Again! - See Explanation Below

Rather than strengthening or weakening the grip, bring it back to neutral. A neutral grip is more likely to help the ball fly straighter and truer.